A desirable fence is something that a lot of renters would desire when selecting a Ponte Vedra Beach rental house. Decidedly in the single-family rental home bazaar, a fenced yard is a vital draw for long-term renters. But when a fence comes damaged, who pays for the repairs? The answer to that question depends on two things: the condition of the fence upon move in and how the fence was damaged.
If the fence around the property is in nice condition but becomes marred by your tenant or their guests, your tenant is predominantly responsible for fixes. Regardless if the property’s fence is damaged by weather or another outside source or if the fence was neglected or falling down upon move in, the responsibility for repairs typically belongs to the property owner. The best way to determine responsibility for fence repairs is to include specific, clear language in your lease agreements related to property damage.
What is the Current Condition of the Fence?
Wherever your rental property is based, there are state and local laws that request property holders to keep their rental homes suitable for residential use and up to code. The focus of these regulations is often on the house itself, which must have sufficient weatherproofing and feature safe and functioning heat, electric, and plumbing systems.
But at the same time, ensuring a house is fit for compliance with the code would also include the yard and any exterior structures. Thus regardless of whether they are ornamental or beneficial to the construction, fences are still viewed to be part of the property and must be held in a satisfactory state. A broken-down fence is a safety hazard and creates unwelcome liabilities for a landlord.
What is the State of Wear and Tear?
Fences require repetitive conservation and reconstruction, like any other aspect of a rental home. If the fence around your rental home is looking worn or hasn’t been repaired for a long time, it is the responsibility of the property owner to return the fence to good condition. This is correct even if a fence becomes smashed because of tenant misuse.
Broken or collapsed sections of fencing is a serious safety hazard for which the property owner is responsible. This includes damage caused by severe weather or vandalism. These circumstances should be incorporated into the landlord’s insurance policy, which expresses that it is the landlord’s responsibility to make the necessary repairs.
Who Caused the Damage?
Just in case the fence within your rental home is in good repair but your renter or one of their guests ruins it, the tenant is answerable for fixing it. Such damage must go beyond normal wear and tear, such as hitting the fence with their car or if tenants or guests accidentally break slats or l panels.
A good deal of leases state that if a renter makes any harm to the property or allows others to do harm, that renter is then compelled to pay for the cost to fix any and all damage. If your tenant refuses, majority landlord/tenant laws let the landlord debit the amount from the security deposit.
Ensuring that a full and exhaustive move-in/move-out checklist is followed for every tenant is a way of certifying the state of a rental home’s fence. This protects property owners from claims of existing repairs, as well as the tenant from accusations of negligence. When you enlist Real Property Management Sunstate, you can be assured that such acts have been secured and that every phase of your Ponte Vedra Beach rental home is being supervised. If you want to learn more contact us online or by phone at 877-373-8404.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
